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The World Cup Repechage continues with Hong Kong matched up against Germany in what will be a decisive battle between two evenly-matched teams. It’s been nearly a decade since the two teams faced off and it’s fair to say they have both made significant progress in that time.
Hong Kong will counter the South African influence of Germany with their own expats, naming Dayne Jans at hooker with former Southern Kings prop Grant Kemp making his test debut at tighthead. Michael Parfitt is a surprise choice on the blindside flank, the young second row adding extra bulk to counter an intimidating German pack.
Matt Rosslee starts at flyhalf with Liam Slatem getting the nod as his halfback partner, edging the experienced Jamie Hood and uncapped Bryn Phillips. Both are on the bench, Hood covering a variety of positions. As expected former Manawatu standout Casey Stone wins his first cap at fullback.
There are two debutantes named for Germany, one starting at hooker. Kurt Haupt completes a quality front row trio with former captain Julius Nostadt at loosehead prop and Saracens trialist Samy Füchsel at tighthead. It’s an all-South African back row with Jaco Otto the openside spcecialist a danger man. Sebastian Ferreira and Jarrid Els provide ball carrying and lineout options.
With Hagen Schulte injured it’s Raynor Parkinson who starts at flyhalf with Christopher Hilsenback named at fullback. There are kicking options throughout the backline with Jamie Murphy and Wynston Cameron-Dow the new midfield combination. Mathieu Ducau is named on the wing instead of his favored outside center position, Germany seeking size out wide in the absence of injured Steffen Liebig.
Germany have also opted for an extra forward on the bench, with England-based flanker John Dawe set to make his international bow as a replacement. Dasch Barber is sufficiently recovered from a hand injury to take his spot as reserve hooker and Carlos Soteras-Merz returns from sevens duty to provide midfield cover in outside backs.
This is a pivotal contest with both teams looking to not only get a result but set a marker for their upcoming match against favorites Canada. Hong Kong have had extensive time together in preparation and play an open attacking style while Germany will prefer to kick for territory and use their forwards to dominate the gain line.
The result is a virtual coin toss. With rain on the forecast give the slight advantage to Germany whose style and kicking options are well suited for the conditions.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 7am Pacific, 10am Eastern. Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN Go, with NBC Sports Gold available in the USA and World Rugby streaming for those located elsewhere.
HONG KONG
1 Dan Barlow, 2 Dayne Jans, 3 Grant Kemp, 4 James Cunningham (capt.), 5 Jack Delaforce, 6 Michael Parfitt, 7 Mike Coverdale, 8, Thomas Lamboley, 9 Liam Slatem, 10 Matt Rosslee, 11 Conor Hartley, 12 Max Woodward, 13 Tyler Spitz, 14 Salom Yiu, 15 Casey Stone
Replacements: 16 Ben Roberts, 17 Ben Higgins, 18 Jack Parfitt, 19 Fin Field, 20 Kane Boucaut, 21 Bryn Phillips, 22 Jamie Hood, 23 Lewis Warner
GERMANY
1 Julius Nostadt, 2 Kurt Haupt, 3 Samy Füchsel, 4 Michael Poppmeier (capt.), 5 Eric Marks, 6 Sebastian Ferreira, 7 Jaco Otto, 8 Jarrid Els, 9 Sean Armstrong, 10 Raynor Parkinson, 11 Mathieu Ducau, 12 Jamie Murphy, 13 Wynston Cameron-Dow, 14 Marcel Coetzee, 15 Christopher Hilsenbeck
Replacements: 16 Dasch Barber, 17 Matthias Schösser, 18 Jörn Schröder, 19 Timo Vollenkemper, 20 Ayron Schramm, 21 Tim Menzel, 22 John Dawe, 23 Carlos Soteras-Merz
Date: Sunday, November 11
Kickoff: 16:00 local (07:00 Pacific, 10:00 Eastern)
Venue: Stade Pierre Delort, Marseille
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)
Assistants: George Clancy (IRFU) & Sara Cox (RFU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Broadcasts: TSN Go, NBC Sports Gold, World Rugby
